Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-25
A DrAB0LiCAL CuRIsrMAs.BOx.
Percy T.. May Receives an Internal
Machine from an Unknown
New York fIorald.l

New lork nefaiol
MIR. Percy 7. May, who is secretary OF
the Conservatory OF Music, at No. 40 west
Twenty.third street, was the recipient
yesterday OF q Christmas-glft, which,
although a novelty, is certainly not likely
10 enhance his enjoyment OF the festive
season.
1t appears that dastardly attempt was
made upon Mir. Mays life through the
cowardly and diabolical device OF an in
fernal machine, which reached It's In
tended victim in the guise oil token OF
friendship. About half-past 2 o'clock
Yesterday afternoon DIR. w. Fl. May, OF
No. 80 west Twenty-fourth street,
walked into the Thirtieth-Street station
with q small pasteboard box, containing
vial of muratic acid, some guncotton,
small quantity of gunpowder, some
pins and a match.
The Doctor said that this box had
been delivered to his son, Percy p. May,
about o'clock. Upan the young man
attempting to open it he became sus-
picious of its contents and cut 1t open
with penknife instead of withdrawing
the sliding-lid by a tag attached to it.
The box was sent to DR.. Edison, at the
Health Department, who will infinitely
examine its contents and report the re-
suit OF his investigation to-day, and in tie
mean while the police institutedinquires
as to the sender Of the machine.
DELIVERY or THE PACKAGE.
Mr.. Percy May was not at home when
a HeraM reporter called at his fathers
residence last night, but DR.. May gave
the following version OF the tendish at
tempt to injure his son. He said /:
"About o'clock this afternoon boy
about thirteen years Of age came to the
Conservatory Of Music. at No. 46 west
Twenty-third str ct, where my son
is engaged as secretary, and in
auired for Lieutenant Percy May. My
son, who is lieutenant in the Eleventh
regiment, was surprised at the use OF his
military title on this occasion, and he
asked the boy what he wanted. He then
handed my son a small parcel addressed
Lieutenant Percy p. May A Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year,
which he said had been given him by
man en- Sixth avenue.
"He walked away with IN unconcem-
ed air, and my son proceeded to unfas-
ten the parcel, which contained a small
card-boa box, such6s is used for gold
pens. 1t was abouF eight inches 10y
three, and had O tag at one end 10y
which to withdraw n sliding lid. My son
pulled this tag very gently and imme-
diately noticed a sulphurous odOr. be
then became suspicious, and taking out
his knife he carefully cut through the hi
and lifted it up. To his amazement he
found that the thing was evidently in
tended for an Internal machine.
1.-Two matches were placed in such a
position that the friction caused by the
Withdrawal of the lid would have set
them afre and Ignited quantity OF gun
cotton. Next to the guncotton were The
gunpowder and bottle Of sulphuric
acid. The smell which had first aroused
my sons suspicion had been caused 10y
the slight friction OF the match, and if he
had continued to withdraw the Id
that match would have started tho
whole thing and probably have injured
him for life. He was naturally very much
upset mt his narrow escape and sent over
TO me at once. | soon saw the nature Of
the contriyance and did not feel the least
afraid of it. So carried it to the police
station and set the detectives searching
for the perpetrators Of the outrage
SUSPICION AS TO THE SENDER.
"Have you any idea as to why or by
whom. the package was sent ?" asked the
reporter.
"Well." said DR.. May, "we have a
slight suspicion. There have been one
or two attacks upon the characters Of
both myself and my son, and 1. believe
some i'll feeling existed on account OF the
recent transfer Of my son from the
Twenty.second to the Eleventh regiment.
He is twenty-five years old and was
! lately made second lieutenant in Com
pany b, of the Eleventh. He is popular
among his comrades, however, and l
know of no reason for this attack upon
him. No, l cannot tell you whom We
suspect :" and tho Doctor branched of
into other matters. At a late hour last
night the detectives had failed TO dis
cover the boy who delivered the machine
to Mr.. May.
(By telegraph to tho Dtspatchl
New YORK, December 24.-Dr. Edison,
of the Health Bureau, has examined the
internal machine sent to Lieutenant May
as Christmas present last night, and
pronounces it one of the most dlabolical
contriyances he has ever seen. In it was
n vial of nitric acid which, when exploded
by the powder in the box, would have
Scared whoever was handling the ma
chine, and probably totally blinded him.
The police are searching for the boy who
delivered the box.